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Massie Introduces Flock-Off Act to Cut Camera Funding

9/4/2026

Summary

Massie Blocks Cameras

Rep. Thomas Massie introduced the Flock-Off Act to block federal camera funding.
The bill bans money for installing or operating Flock cameras and ALPR systems.
It also forbids funds for contracts, subscriptions, cloud services, databases or data-sharing tied to those cameras.
State, local and tribal agencies must disable funded systems within 180 days or lose funding.
Cameras within one mile of the borders may detect entry, trafficking or drug smuggling.

Summary

Flock Misuse

An Ohio man sued his city after a wrongful traffic stop that relied on Flock camera data.
Cybersecurity researcher Benn Jordan livestreamed a hacked Flock camera feed from a public park, exposing live video.
Tempe, Arizona permanently shut down its Flock system, citing no evidence of misuse but acknowledging community concerns.
Fortune reported a Florida officer misused Flock data to stalk his estranged wife, making over 700 unauthorized queries.

History

Historical Context

In 1967, the U.S. Supreme Court’s 7-2 decision in Katz v. United States established that electronic eavesdropping violates reasonable expectation of privacy. Justice Potter Stewart authored the opinion, noting that the FBI’s wiretaps had captured 1,200 conversations without warrants, prompting legislative reform. Today, Rep. Thomas Massie’s Flock-Off Act mirrors Katz by seeking to bar federal funds for ALPR and Flock camera systems that threaten privacy. If Congress follows the precedent, future surveillance deployments may require strict oversight, limiting data misuse like the Florida officer’s 700 unauthorized queries.

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Massie Blocks Cameras

Rep. Thomas Massie introduced the Flock-Off Act to block federal camera funding.
The bill bans money for installing or operating Flock cameras and ALPR systems.
It also forbids funds for contracts, subscriptions, cloud services, databases or data-sharing tied to those cameras.
State, local and tribal agencies must disable funded systems within 180 days or lose funding.
Cameras within one mile of the borders may detect entry, trafficking or drug smuggling.

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